LYNNFIELD — When COVID-19 hit, Toni Rebelo was there to answer the call for the town’s schools.
Rebelo was hired as the district’s COVID-19 liaison to help Lynnfield schools navigate the difficult waters of the pandemic.
She has been recognized for her efforts with the Dorothy Presser award, which recognizes an employee within the public school community who goes above and beyond in his or her commitment to education in town.
Rebelo is the second recipient of this peer-nominated award, which was founded during the 2018-19 school year in honor of longtime School Committee member Dorothy Presser upon her retirement.
“Miss Rebelo was nominated because of her dedication to the health and safety and well-being of our Lynnfield Public School students, their families, and staff members during the challenges we faced this past year,” said School Committee Vice Chair Stacy Dahlstedt.
“Her peers described her as someone who touched every level from pre-K to 12, she managed close contacts, cases and travel restrictions. Every principal spoke to her every day; she was the voice of reason and understanding in a tumultuous time. Her guidance was invaluable and I can’t fathom a more deserving recipient of this Dorothy Presser award.”
Rebelo stated that she was beyond honored to receive the award.
“Everybody went above and beyond for our children,” said Rebelo. “So for me to sit here and to receive this solely is tough for me, because I feel like none of what I did would have been able to have been accomplished if it wasn’t for every person’s piece of that puzzle. I was new to this school system last year, and I accepted a role that I didn’t know where it was going to lead me, and I am so happy at how it all turned out for all of us.”
Town Administrator Rob Dolan said that while there have been many “heroic efforts” made by many individuals during the pandemic, “Toni is a citizen hero whose efforts have kept children in school and learning, prevented spread, and whose positive energy and work ethic is contagious to all.”
School Committee member Jamie Hayman talked about Rebelo’s patience when a lot of parents were left asking questions about what was going on amid the pandemic’s frequent curveballs.
“You were a calming influence for this committee,” he said. “Your expertise was respected and appreciated ― and frankly necessary in this town.”
Dolan expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Select Board.
“Thank you Toni and your family who have shared her with Lynnfield throughout this challenging time.”
Rebelo went on to say that she was thankful to be able to serve the school district and the community, and that she was incredibly grateful to be a part of the team at Lynnfield Public Schools.
“In a year when so much was asked of so many, every person within the Lynnfield Public Schools and beyond went above and beyond for our children,” she said. “The School Committee, the administrators, teachers and staff, the nurses, the custodians; literally every person associated with our schools went well beyond that which was asked of them for our children; they truly brought their ‘A’ games.
“I am thankful to have had the opportunity and am incredibly grateful to be a part of this team. Together, we had one goal and we worked to achieve that goal together. That’s why we are Lynnfield and where we are today. Thank you, all of you, for this.”
